Hybrid navigation system with location based services and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of operation of a hybrid navigation system includes: providing a position information for locating a first device; linking a second position to the position information, the second position for locating a second device; generating a planned route with the position information refined by the second position for transferring over a regional network to the first device or the second device; and storing saved route information from the planned route for displaying on the first device when the regional network is not available.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application contains subject matter related to concurrentlyfiled U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/752,071, fled Mar. 31, 2010.The related application is assigned to TeleNav, Inc. and the subjectmatter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a navigation system, and moreparticularly to a hybrid navigation system for identifying locationbased services available to a user in real time operation.

BACKGROUND ART

Today navigation aids are everywhere. Many people rely heavily onnavigation instructions to get them efficiently from one point toanother. The invention and implementation of the Global PositioningSystem (GPS) has helped countless people maneuver through congestedhighways and large cities. Many parcel delivery companies utilizenavigation services in their vehicles, based on the GPS, to locatedestination addresses.

Since the navigation system has become popular as a route identificationtool, it has proliferated to the point that many personal autos aremanufactured with a standard navigation system included. Many of thesestandard systems provide approximate location identification which inmost cases has been sufficient to meet the needs of the driving public.

A navigation system may also be implemented in a mobile telephone byusing an internal GPS receiver to obtain the mobile telephone'slocation. Geographic data for both the mobile telephone's location andthe destination may be obtained from a geographic database. Accordingly,navigational assistance may be provided to the user of the mobiletelephone using geographic data about the mobile telephone's locationand a destination location.

Additionally, the telephone may have an integrated database, or anaccess to an external database, storing address listings of bothcommercial and residential locations with telephone numbers tagged tothe rows as a primary key. Thus, allowing the user of the telephone toinput a telephone number as destination information, the addresscorresponding to that telephone number may be the destination locationto which the user is traveling.

Many users of the navigation systems require additional informationaside from how to get to their destination. Some users seekidentification of on-route restaurants, gas station location, repairservice location, or hotel accommodations. As the users become moredependent on the services provided by the navigation system, beingwithout those services can be devastating. In some areas thetransmission of navigation service information may be blocked bygeographic structures, such as mountains or forests, or in large citiesthe buildings may prevent continuous operation of the navigation system.

As the users find new ways to take advantage of the flexibility andutility of today's navigation systems, reliability and availabilitybecome even more important. A service that becomes unavailable due tointerference or geographic features will just tend to frustrate thegeneral public and prevent adoption of the service.

Thus, a need still remains for a navigation system with location basedservices that can provide reliable and available destination andservices information.

In view of the ever increasing reliance on navigational aids andservices, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to theseproblems. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitivepressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishingopportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace,it is critical that answers be found for these problems. Additionally,the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meetcompetitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the criticalnecessity for finding answers to these problems.

Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developmentshave not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to theseproblems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of operation of a hybridnavigation system including: providing a position information forlocating a first device; linking a second position to the positioninformation, the second position for locating a second device;generating a planned route with the position information refined by thesecond position for transferring over a regional network to the firstdevice or the second device; and storing saved route information fromthe planned route for displaying on the first device when the regionalnetwork is not available.

The present invention provides a hybrid navigation system including: acommunication unit for accessing a first device; a second communicationunit for accessing a second device linked to the first device by acommunication link includes a communication and navigation controllerfor accessing a regional network accessed by the first device or thesecond device; and a storage interface for saved route informationstored from the planned route for displaying in the first device whenthe regional network is not available.

Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements inaddition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or elementswill become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a hybrid navigation system with location based services in afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the controller area network in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of the first device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a hybrid navigation system in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a hybrid navigation system in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of operation of the hybrid navigationsystem in a further embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments would be evident based on the presentdisclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will beapparent that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, somewell-known circuits, system configurations, and process steps are notdisclosed in detail.

The drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic andnot to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for theclarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing FIGs.Similarly, although the views in the drawings for ease of descriptiongenerally show similar orientations, this depiction in the FIGs. isarbitrary for the most part. Generally, the invention can be operated inany orientation.

Where multiple embodiments are disclosed and described, having somefeatures in common, for clarity and ease of illustration, description,and comprehension thereof, similar and like features one to another willordinarily be described with similar reference numerals. The embodimentshave been numbered first embodiment, second embodiment, etc. as a matterof descriptive convenience and are not intended to have any othersignificance or provide limitations for the present invention.

For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is definedas a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the Earth, regardless ofits orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicularto the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”,“bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”,“over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane,as shown in the figures. The term “on” means that there is directcontact between elements with no intervening materials.

The term “processing” as used herein includes calculating, encoding,decoding, storing, managing, cataloging, or preparing for display anydata associated with the works of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown a hybrid navigation system 100with location based services in a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The hybrid navigation system 100 includes a first device 102,such as a client or a mobile navigation system, communicating with asecond device 104, such as a personal communication device, cell phone,notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or hand held GPS,through a communication link 106, such as a wireless or wiredcommunication link.

The communication link 106 may couple the second device 104 to acontroller area network (CAN) 108 within the first device 102. While thecontroller area network 108 may be involved in more of the routineoperation of the first device 102, it supplies key information to anoperator 110. It is understood that the second device 104 may be in thepossession and operated by the operator 110 or another individual in theproximity of the first device 102.

For example, the first device 102 can be of any of a variety of mobiledevices, such as an automotive telematic navigation system, or othermulti-functional mobile communication or entertainment device. The firstdevice 102 can be a standalone device, or can be incorporated with avehicle, for example a motorcycle, car, truck, bus, or train. The firstdevice 102 can couple through the communication link 106 to communicatewith the second device 104.

For illustrative purposes, the hybrid navigation system 100 is describedwith the first device 102 as a mobile device, although it is understoodthat the first device 102 can be different types of devices. Forexample, the first device 102 can also be a non-mobile computing device,such as a server, a server farm, or a desktop computer.

The second device 104 can be any of a variety of centralized ordecentralized computing devices, such as a cellular phone, personaldigital assistant, a notebook computer, a mobile GPS. For example, thesecond device 104 can be a computer, grid computing resources, avirtualized computer resource, cloud computing resource, routers,switches, peer-to-peer distributed computing devices, or a combinationthereof.

The second device 104 can be centralized in a single computer,distributed across different computers, distributed across differentgeographical locations, or embedded within a telecommunication network.The second device 104 can have a means for coupling with thecommunication link 106 to communicate with the first device 102. Thesecond device 104 can also be a client or a server type device asdescribed for the first device 102. The second device 104 can include astandalone device, or can exchange resources with a vehicle, for examplea motorcycle, car, truck, bus, or train, in close proximity, within 10meters range, by peer-to-peer communication. The peer-to-peercommunication allows two or more servers to directly communicate withoutan intervening controller. Such a device is known as a peer-to-peerserver.

It has been discovered that the combination of the first device 102 andthe second device 104 coupled through the communication link may providean enhanced position for use by the operator 110. The first device 102may determine a position information by accessing a data source 114 suchas a satellite signal from the regional network while the second device104 may calculate a second position by using triangulation from two ormore nodes 116, such as cellular towers or cellular repeaters, todetermine a location. The triangulation may be performed by measuring atime differential between the arrival of an uplink signal from two ormore of the nodes 116. The position information can be linked to thesecond position. The hybrid navigation system 100 then combines theposition information from the first device 102 with the location of thesecond device 104 for refining an enhanced position. The enhancedposition can be used to generate a planned route using the enhancedposition and a destination.

It has also been discovered that the second device 104 may provide afuture view of services that may be available farther along the plannedroute that can provide location based services information in the eventa regional network 112 is not available for any reason. The future viewof services may include maps, points of interest, as determined by theconfiguration provided by the operator 110, advertisements, and coupons.The second device 104 may pipeline the location based servicesinformation as soon as the regional network 112 is once again available.

Both the first device 102 and the second device 104 may be coupled tothe regional network 112, such as a geographically dispersedcommunication network that may include a variety of networks linkedtogether. For example, the regional network 112 can include wirelesscommunication, wired communication, optical, ultrasonic, or thecombination thereof. Satellite communication, cellular communication,Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association standard (IrDA), wireless fidelity(WiFi), and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) areexamples of wireless communication that can be included in the regionalnetwork 112. Ethernet, digital subscriber line (DSL), fiber to the home(FTTH), and plain old telephone service (POTS) are examples of wiredcommunication that can be included in the regional network 112 as well.

The regional network 112 may link the first device 102 and the seconddevice 104 to the data source 114, such as a computer, server, or servernetwork. The data source 114 may provide requested information regardingroute identification and location based services.

In another example, the data source 114 can be a particularized machine,such as a mainframe, a server, a cluster server, rack mounted server, ora blade server, or as more specific examples, an IBM System z10™Business Class mainframe or a HP ProLiant ML™ server. In yet anotherexample, the second device 104 can be a particularized machine, such asa portable computing device, a thin client, a notebook, a netbook, asmartphone, personal digital assistant, or a cellular phone, and asspecific examples, an Apple iPhone™, Palm Centro™, or Moto Q Global™.

For illustrative purposes, the hybrid navigation system 100 is describedwith the data source 114 as a non-mobile computing device, although itis understood that the data source 114 can be different types ofcomputing devices. For example, the data source 114 can also be a mobilecomputing device, such as notebook computer, another client device, or adifferent type of client device.

Also for illustrative purposes, the hybrid navigation system 100 isshown with the second device 104 and the first device 102 as end pointsof the regional network 112, although it is understood that the hybridnavigation system 100 can have a different partition between the firstdevice 102, the second device 104, and the regional network 112. Forexample, the first device 102, the second device 104, or a combinationthereof can also function as part of the regional network 112.

Further, the regional network 112 can traverse a number of networktopologies and distances. For example, the regional network 112 caninclude direct connection, personal area network (PAN), local areanetwork (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN)or any combination thereof.

The hybrid navigation system 100 may provide location based services tothe operator 110 of the first device 102. The location based servicesmay be configured to the unique interests of the operator 110 and thearea of travel. The location based services may include arearestaurants, entertainment locations, technical services, and the like.The desired location based services may be pre-configured for the hybridnavigation system 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is shown a block diagram of thecontroller area network 108 in an embodiment of the present invention.The block diagram of the controller area network 108 depicts anelectronic control unit (ECU) 202, such as a main processing unit forthe controller area network 108. A controller area network (CAN) bus 204may couple the electronic control unit 202 to a series of specializedcontrollers that may monitor and control the operation of a vehicle.

A motor sensor and control block 206, such as a controller that maymanage the operation of a vehicles motor function, may manage theoperation of the motor to meet the demands of the operator 110, ofFIG. 1. A transmission sensors and control 208 may monitor pressures inthe transmission and shift gears at an appropriate time to meet thedemands of the operator 110.

An operator safety controller 210 may manage sensors and warnings thatprovide the operator aids in avoiding hazards while operating thevehicle that contains the controller area network 108. Some of theoperator aids may include, but are not limited to, a rear bumper camera,side ranging sensors, forward ranging sensors, low light visibilitydevices, and the like.

A communication and navigation controller 212 may manage the on boardnavigation system as well as display functions associated with thevehicle. The display functions may include, but are not limited to, aturn by turn display of a planned route to be taken to arrive at adestination chosen by the operator 110. The warning functions mayinclude, but are not limited to, proximity alerts, signal management forcommunication to other operators, communication interface controls, suchas volume controls, channel selection, or entertainment devicemanagement.

A communication link controller 214 may provide the link managementfunction for the communication link 106, of FIG. 1, between the firstdevice 102, of FIG. 1, and the second device 104, of FIG. 1. In thisconfiguration the second device 104 may act as a proxy server in orderto provide the future view of services available along a planned route.The second device 104 may pipeline, such as queuing contiguous blocks ofinformation, selected information about the planned route includinglocation based services. Such information may be used by thecommunication and navigation controller 212 if the regional network 112,of FIG. 1, becomes unavailable for any reason for any length of time.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown an exemplary block diagram ofthe first device 102 of FIG. 1. The first device 102 can include a userinterface 302, a storage unit 306, a global positioning system 308, acontrol unit 310, and a communication unit 312.

The user interface 302 allows the operator 110, of FIG. 1, to interfaceand interact with the first device 102. While the operator 110 mayperform other tasks associated with operating the first device 102, someinterface is provided to manage the control functions of the firstdevice 102. The user interface 302 can include, but is not limited to,an input device and an output device. Examples of the input device ofthe user interface 302 can include a keypad, a touchpad, soft-keys, akeyboard, a microphone, or any combination thereof to provide data andcommunication inputs. Examples of the output device of the userinterface 302 can include a display interface 304. The display interface304 can include a display, a projector, a video screen, a speaker, orany combination thereof.

The control unit 310 can execute a program code 314 to provide theintelligence of the hybrid navigation system 100. The control unit 310can operate the user interface 302 to display information generated bythe hybrid navigation system 100. The control unit 310 can also executethe program code 314 for the other functions of the hybrid navigationsystem 100, including receiving location information from the globalpositioning system 308. The control unit 310 can further execute theprogram code 314 for interaction with the communication link 106 of FIG.1 via the communication unit 312.

The control unit 310 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the control unit 310 can be a processor, anembedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, ahardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP),or a combination thereof.

The control unit 310 can include a controller interface 316. Thecontroller interface 316 can be used for communication between thecontrol unit 310 and other functional units in the first device 102. Thecontroller interface 316 can also be used for communication that isexternal to the first device 102.

The controller interface 316 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The controller interface 316 can be implemented in different ways andcan include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the controllerinterface 316. For example, the controller interface 316 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicro-electromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wire-line circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The global positioning system 308 can generate location information,current heading, and current speed of the first device 102, as examples.The global positioning system 308 can be implemented in many ways. Forexample, the global positioning system 308 can function as at least apart of a global positioning system (GPS), an inertial navigationsystem, a cellular-tower location system, a pressure location system, orany combination thereof.

The global positioning system 308 can include a location interface 318.The location interface 318 can be used for communication between theglobal positioning system 308 and other functional units in the firstdevice 102. The location interface 318 can also be used forcommunication that is external to the first device 102.

The location interface 318 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The location interface 318 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the global positioning system 308. The locationinterface 318 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the controller interface 316.

The storage unit 306 can store the program code 314. The storage unit306 can also store the relevant information, such as advertisements,points of interest (POI), navigation routing entries, or any combinationthereof.

The storage unit 306 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, aninternal memory, an external memory, or a combination thereof. Forexample, the storage unit 306 can be a nonvolatile storage such asnon-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory, disk storage,or a volatile storage such as static random access memory (SRAM).

The storage unit 306 can include a storage interface 320. The storageinterface 320 can be used for communication between the globalpositioning system 308 and other functional units in the first device102. The storage interface 320 can also be used for communication thatis external to the first device 102.

The storage interface 320 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102, which may include the second device104, of FIG. 1. In the operation of the hybrid navigation system 100,the second device 104 may act as a proxy server for the first device102. The second device 104 may retrieve location based servicesinformation for segments, of the planned route, that have not yet beenreached. This information may be stored by the storage unit 306 for useif the regional network 112, of FIG. 1, becomes unavailable for anyreason.

The storage interface 320 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced to the storage unit 306. The storage interface 320 can beimplemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the controller interface 316.

The communication unit 312 can enable external communication to and fromthe first device 102. For example, the communication unit 312 can permitthe first device 102 to communicate with the second device 104 of FIG.1, through the communication link 106, of FIG. 1.

The communication unit 312 can also function as a communication huballowing the second device 104 to function as part of the first device102. The communication unit 312 can include active and passivecomponents, such as microelectronics or an antenna, for interaction withthe communication link 106. The communication link 106 may beimplemented as a Bluetooth network. In such a case the transmit/receiveelectronics and appropriate support software would reside in thecommunication unit 312.

The communication unit 312 can include a communication interface 322.The communication interface 322 can be used for communication betweenthe communication unit 312 and other functional units in the firstdevice 102. The communication interface 322 can receive information fromthe other functional units or can transmit information to the otherfunctional units.

The communication interface 322 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units are being interfaced with thecommunication unit 312. The communication interface 322 can beimplemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the controller interface 316.

For illustrative purposes, the program code 314 is shown to reside inthe storage unit 306, but it is understood that the program code 314 canbe partitioned differently such that some or all of its function can bein the control unit 310, the global positioning system 308, or thecommunication unit 312. Also, the first device 102 can include otherfunctional units not shown in FIG. 3 for clarity.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown a functional block diagram ofa hybrid navigation system 400 in an embodiment of the presentinvention. The functional block diagram of the hybrid navigation system400 depicts a first device 402, a communication link 404, and a seconddevice 406. The first device 402 can communicate with the second device406 over the communication link 404. For example, the first device 402,the communication link 404, and the second device 406 can be the firstdevice 102 of FIG. 1, the communication link 106 of FIG. 1, and thesecond device 104 of FIG. 1, respectively.

In the operation of the hybrid navigation system 400, resources of thesecond device 406 may be made available to the first device 402. Thesecond device 406 may download and execute a software program thatallows the second device 406 to serve as a proxy server, such as theTeleNav Proxy, in order to provide information for the future view ofthe planned route including location based services.

The first device 402 can send information in a first device transmission408 over the communication link 404 to the second device 406. The seconddevice 406 can send information in a second device transmission 410 overthe communication link 404 to the first device 402. These exchanges maytake place concurrently and the associated overhead may be managed by acommunication standard, such as Bluetooth.

For brevity of description in this embodiment of the present invention,the first device 402 will be described as a client device and the seconddevice 406 will be described as a server device. The present inventionis not limited to this selection for the type of devices. The selectionis an example of the present invention.

The first device 402 can include a first control unit 412, a firststorage unit 414, a first communication unit 416, a first user interface418, and a location unit 420. The first device 402 can be similarlydescribed by the first device 102.

As an example, the location unit 420 may include the local sensors andmonitors for the first device 402. The monitors may include a GPSlocator, a directional compass, a speedometer, an odometer, and anyvisual sensors or cameras. It is understood that this is an example onlyand the GPS locator may reside in another device, such as the seconddevice 406.

The first control unit 412 can include a first control interface 422.The first control unit 412 and the first control interface 422 can besimilarly described as the control unit 310 of FIG. 3 and the controlinterface 316 of FIG. 3, respectively.

The first storage unit 414 can include a first storage interface 424.The first storage unit 414 and the first storage interface 424 can besimilarly described as the storage unit 306 of FIG. 3 and the storageinterface 320 of FIG. 3, respectively. A first software 426 can bestored in the first storage unit 414.

The first communication unit 416 can include a first communicationinterface 428. The first communication unit 416 and the firstcommunication interface 428 can be similarly described as thecommunication unit 312 of FIG. 3 and the communication interface 322 ofFIG. 3, respectively.

The first user interface 418 can include a first display interface 430.The first user interface 418 and the first display interface 430 can besimilarly described as the user interface 302 of FIG. 3 and the displayinterface 304 of FIG. 3, respectively.

The location unit 420 can include a location interface 432. The locationunit 420 and the location interface 432 can be similarly described asthe global positioning system 308 of FIG. 3 and the location interface318 of FIG. 3, respectively. While it is possible that the first device102, of FIG. 1 may be similar to the first device 402, this is not arequirement and they may differ in architecture and performance.

The second device 406 can be optimized for implementing the presentinvention in a multiple device embodiment with the first device 402. Thesecond device 406 can provide the additional or higher performanceprocessing power compared to the first device 402. The second device 406can include a second control unit 434, a second communication unit 436,and a second user interface 438.

The second user interface 438 allows the operator 110, of FIG. 1, tointerface and interact with the second device 406. The second userinterface 438 can include an input device and an output device. Examplesof the input device of the second user interface 438 can include akeypad, a touchpad, soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, or anycombination thereof to provide data and communication inputs. Examplesof the output device of the second user interface 438 can include asecond display interface 440. The second display interface 440 caninclude a display, a projector, a video screen, a speaker, or anycombination thereof.

The second control unit 434 can execute a second software 442 to providethe intelligence of the second device 406 of the hybrid navigationsystem 400. The second software 442 can operate in conjunction with thefirst software 426 in order to provide continued navigational supportwhile the regional network 112, of FIG. 1, is not available. The secondcontrol unit 434 can provide additional performance and capabilities ascompared to the first control unit 412 or the control unit 310.

The second control unit 434 can operate the second user interface 438 todisplay information. The second control unit 434 can also execute thesecond software 442 for the other functions of the hybrid navigationsystem 400, including operating the second communication unit 436 tocommunicate with the first device 402 over the communication link 404.

The second control unit 434 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the second control unit 434 can be a processor, anembedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, ahardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP),or a combination thereof.

The second control unit 434 can include a second controller interface444. The second controller interface 444 can be used for communicationbetween the second control unit 434 and other functional units in thesecond device 406. The second controller interface 444 can also be usedfor communication that is external to the second device 406.

The second controller interface 444 can receive information from theother functional units or from external sources, or can transmitinformation to the other functional units or to external destinations.The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources anddestinations external to the second device 406.

The second controller interface 444 can be implemented in different waysand can include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the second controllerinterface 444. For example, the second controller interface 444 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicro-electromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wire-line circuitry, or a combination thereof.

A second storage unit 446 can store the second software 442. The secondstorage unit 446 can also store the relevant information, such as maps,advertisements, points of interest (POI), navigation routing entries, orany combination thereof for points beyond the current location of thefirst device 402 and the second device 406. The second storage unit 446can be sized to provide the additional storage capacity to supplementthe first storage unit 414.

For illustrative purposes, the second storage unit 446 is shown as asingle element, although it is understood that the second storage unit446 can be a distribution of storage elements. Also for illustrativepurposes, the hybrid navigation system 400 is shown with the secondstorage unit 446 as a single hierarchy storage system, although it isunderstood that the hybrid navigation system 400 can have the secondstorage unit 446 in a different configuration. For example, the secondstorage unit 446 can be formed with different storage technologiesforming a memory hierarchal system including different levels ofcaching, main memory, rotating media, or off-line storage.

The second storage unit 446 can include a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the second storage unit 446 can include anonvolatile storage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM),Flash memory, disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static randomaccess memory (SRAM).

The second storage unit 446 can include a second storage interface 448.The second storage interface 448 can be used for communication betweenthe location unit 420, of the first device 402, and other functionalunits within the second device 406. The second storage interface 448 canalso be used for communication that is external to the second device406.

The second storage interface 448 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the second device 406, such as the regional network 112.

The second storage interface 448 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the second storage unit 446. The second storageinterface 448 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 444.

The second communication unit 436 can enable external communication toand from the first device 402. For example, the second communicationunit 436 can permit the second device 406 to communicate with the firstdevice 402 over the communication link 404.

The second communication unit 436 can include a second communicationinterface 450. The second communication interface 450 can be used forcommunication between the second communication unit 436 and otherfunctional units in the second device 406. The second communicationinterface 450 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The second communication interface 450 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the second communication unit 436. The second communicationinterface 450 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 444.

The first communication unit 416 can couple with the communication link404 to send information to the second device 406 in the first devicetransmission 408. The second device 406 can receive information in thesecond communication unit 436 from the first device transmission 408 ofthe communication link 404.

The second communication unit 436 can couple with the communication link404 to send information to the first device 402 in the second devicetransmission 410. The first device 402 can receive information in thefirst communication unit 416 from the second device transmission 410 ofthe communication link 404. The hybrid navigation system 400 can beexecuted by the first control unit 412, the second control unit 434, ora combination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the second device 406 is shown with thepartition having the second user interface 438, the second storage unit446, the second control unit 434, and the second communication unit 436,although it is understood that the second device 406 can have adifferent partition. For example, the second software 442 can bepartitioned differently such that some or all of its function can be inthe second control unit 434 and the second communication unit 436. Also,the second device 406 can include other functional units not shown inFIG. 4 for clarity.

The functional units in the first device 402 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The first device 402 canwork individually and independently from the second device 406 and thecommunication link 404.

The functional units in the second device 406 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The second device 406 canwork individually and independently from the first device 402 and thecommunication link 404.

For illustrative purposes, the hybrid navigation system 400 is describedby operation of the first device 402 and the second device 406. It isunderstood that the first device 402 and the second device 406 canoperate any of the modules and functions of the hybrid navigation system400. For example, the first device 402 is described to operate thelocation unit 420, although it is understood that the second device 406can also operate the location unit 420.

It has been discovered that by utilizing the second device 406 as aproxy server, to retrieve information, such as maps, advertisements,points of interest (POI), navigation routing entries, or any combinationthereof for points beyond the current location of the first device 402and the second device 406, the hybrid navigation system 400 can operatewithout access to the regional network 112. When the regional network112 once again becomes available the second device 406 may retrieve newinformation in order to maintain location based services beyond thecurrent location of the first device 402 and the second device 406.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown a functional block diagram ofa hybrid navigation system 500 in an embodiment of the presentinvention. The functional block diagram of the hybrid navigation system500 depicts a first device 502 linked by a communication link 504 to asecond device 506.

The second device 506 may have collected saved route information 508 foruse by the first device 502 when the regional network 112 may not beavailable for providing route information on a planned route 510. Thesaved route information 508 may be transferred across the communicationlink 504 to a navigation controller 512 in the first device 502. Undercontrol of the electronic control unit 202, the navigation controller512 may display the saved route information 508 on an operator displayscreen 514. This operation may continue for as long as there is asufficient amount of the saved route information 508 to support therequirements of the operator 110, of FIG. 1. When the regional network112 is once again available new information will be added to the savedroute information 508 without any intervention by the operator 110.

The first device 502 that is linked to the second device 506 serving asa proxy server may be designated a hybrid navigation cell 516, morespecifically a peer-to-peer server. The hybrid navigation cell 516 canlink any other of the hybrid navigation cell 516 in close proximity by apeer-to-peer wireless link 518 for exchanging the saved routeinformation 508 or refining the current location information in thefirst device 502. More specifically, the second device 506 can operateas the hybrid navigation cell 516 for peer-to-peer communication withany other of the hybrid navigation cell 516 over the peer-to-peerwireless link 518.

The partition as described above is an example only and other partitionsare possible. For example the saved route information 508 may be storedin the first device 502 and the second device 506 may actively poll theregional network for additional information. This operation may providehighly reliable navigation information including location based serviceswhen the regional network 112 is not consistently available.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein is shown a flow chart of a method 600of operation of the hybrid navigation system 100 in a further embodimentof the present invention. The method 600 includes: providing a positioninformation for locating a first device in a block 602; linking a secondposition to the position information, the second position for locating asecond device in a block 604; generating a planned route with theposition information refined by the second position for transferringover a regional network to the first device or the second device in ablock 606; and storing saved route information from the planned routefor displaying on the first device when the regional network is notavailable in a block 608.

The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product, and/or systemis straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile,accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adaptingknown components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing,application, and utilization.

Another important aspect of the present invention is that it valuablysupports and services the historical trend of reducing costs,simplifying systems, and increasing performance.

These and other valuable aspects of the present invention consequentlyfurther the state of the technology to at least the next level.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specificbest mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within thescope of the included claims. All matters hithertofore set forth hereinor shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in anillustrative and non-limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operation of a hybrid navigation system comprising: locating a first device includes transferring a position information over a regional network accessed by the first device or a second device; linking a second position to the position information by a control unit, the second position for locating the second device including forming a hybrid navigation cell; generating a planned route with the position information refined by the second position from the hybrid navigation cell; storing saved route information including location based services along the planned route; utilizing the second device as a proxy server, when the regional network is not available, for locating a proximate hybrid navigation cell; establishing a peer-to-peer wireless link with the proximate hybrid navigation cell; transferring the saved route information through the peer-to-peer wireless link; and storing the saved route information from the peer-to-peer wireless link including transferring the saved route information to the first device when the regional network is not available, the location based services including restaurants, gas stations, repair service, and hotels.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein providing the position information for locating the first device includes providing a communication link for accessing a mobile navigation system.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein storing the saved route information includes forming the hybrid navigation cell for transferring the saved route information by operating the second device as the proxy server.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein linking the second position for locating the second device includes linking the second position for locating a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, or a notebook computer.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein: linking the second position to the position information includes providing the second position for triangulating a location of the second device from two or more nodes in the regional network.
 6. A method of operation of a hybrid navigation system comprising: transferring a position information over a regional network for locating a first device includes providing a communication link controller for communicating with a mobile navigation system having a controller area network; linking a second position to the position information by a control unit, the second position for locating a second device includes forming a hybrid navigation cell by coupling the first device and the second device to the controller area network by a wireless link; generating a planned route with the position information refined by the second position from the hybrid navigation cell; storing saved route information including location based services along the planned route; utilizing the second device as a proxy server, when the regional network is not available, for locating a proximate hybrid navigation cell; establishing a peer-to-peer wireless link with the proximate hybrid navigation cell; transferring the saved route information through the peer-to-peer wireless link; and storing the saved route information from the peer-to-peer wireless link including transferring the saved route information to the first device when the regional network is not available, the location based services including restaurants, gas stations, repair service, and hotels.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein providing the position information for locating the first device includes providing a communication link for accessing the mobile navigation system having an electronic control unit.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein storing the saved route information includes forming the hybrid navigation cell for transferring the saved route information by operating the second device as the proxy server including coupling the first device for coupling a peer-to-peer server within 10 meters range.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein linking the second position to the position information includes providing a communication link for linking a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, or a notebook computer including linking a Bluetooth to the controller area network.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein: providing the position information for locating the first device includes accessing the position information for providing the position information from a data source through the regional network including accessing a satellite.
 11. A hybrid navigation system comprising: a location unit, including a global positioning system locator, configured to transfer a position information, for locating a first device, over a regional network accessed by the first device or a second device; a control unit, including a processor, coupled to the location unit, configured to: link a second position to the position information, the second position for locating the second device to form a hybrid navigation cell, generate a planned route with the position information refined by the second position from the hybrid navigation cell, store saved route information including location based services along the planned route, utilize the second device as a proxy server, when the regional network is not available, to locate a proximate hybrid navigation cell, establish a peer-to-peer wireless link with the proximate hybrid navigation cell, and transfer the saved route information through the peer-to-peer wireless link; and a memory device, coupled to the control unit, configured to store the saved route information from the peer-to-peer wireless link, includes the saved route information transferred to the first device when the regional network is not available, the location based services include restaurants, gas stations, repair service, and hotels.
 12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first device includes a mobile navigation system with an electronic control unit.
 13. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first device forms the hybrid navigation cell for transferring the saved route information by operating the second device as the proxy server.
 14. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control unit includes a communication link controller for linking the second position for locating a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, or a notebook computer.
 15. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein: the control unit configured to link the second position to the position information including providing the second position for triangulating the second position from two or more nodes, in the regional network.
 16. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control unit includes: a communication link controller for communicating with a mobile navigation system having a controller area network.
 17. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the communication link controller is for accessing a mobile navigation system with an electronic control unit.
 18. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first device forms the hybrid navigation cell for transferring the saved route information by operating the second device as the proxy server including coupling the first device for coupling a peer-to-peer server within 10 meters range.
 19. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the communication link controller is for providing a communication link for linking the second position for locating a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, or a notebook computer coupled to the controller area network.
 20. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first device includes: the control unit for providing a position information for locating a first device from a data source accessed through the regional network by a satellite. 